THE CROSS-FOX OF AMERICA. 251 



The fur of this animal is little inferior in elegance 

 to that of the fox of the Himalayas, but for hunt- 

 ing it affords little sport, running swiftly a short 

 distance only, and is then easily overtaken by dogs 

 and horsemen. In propensities to rob the fanner 

 they yield nothing to the most mischievous foxes of 

 Europe, and they are still more cautious in their 

 proceedings. The red fox inhabits a great surface 

 of America, being found in the wooded districts of 

 the fur countries in the north, and there acquiring 

 fur under the feet during the winter season, and 

 growing to a larger size than in the south, in which 

 direction they are found as far as the Carolinas. 



THE CROSS-FOX OF AMERICA. 

 V. decassatus, 



PLATE XXII. 



DR. RICHARDSON and Mr. Bennet are of opinion 

 that this race is only a variety of the red fox, and 

 until a comparison of their skulls shall have deter- 

 mined the question, we are inclined to coincide in 

 the opinion; remarking, however, that as so en- 

 lightened an observer as the Doctor formed his 

 conclusions in the north, we had opportunity to 



